Portable work bench



Mat'Ch 142 933. WQLFRAM 1,901,790

PORTABLE WORKBENCH Filed April 4, 1931 gPatented Mar. 14, 1933 PATENTermee GERHARD WOLFRAM, OF DESSAU, GERMANY PORTABLE W'ORK BENCHApplication filed April 1l, 1931, Serial No.

Portable work benches which are supported on a tripod are already known.Normally one leg is pivoted to the work table so that it can be swunginto position adjacent 5 the other legs. ln many appliances of this kinda metal base plate or the like is pivotally connected with the foot ofthe tripod and serves as a pedestal on which the operator stands. As inthe known tools the individual devices, for example7 a vise, apipe-clamp or pipe bending devices, are rigidly secured to the tool,only a limited number of operations can be carried out with the saidknown appliances. A further disadvantage resides in that the rigidity ofthe appliance is small in consequence of being carried on a tripod andof being pivotally connected with the pedestal, so that operations whichrequire the expenditure of considerable force cannot be 2g carried outwith the known appliances. Further the known appliances are collapsibleonly to a limited extent and even in the collapsed condition are bulkyarticles 4occupying considerable space.

Apart from the last mentioned disadvantage the same drawbacks are alsopresent in the form of the tool in which a tool box serves as asupporting frame and the lid of the box is used as a pedestal.

The object of the invention is to provide an appliance which avoids thedisadvantages of the known arrangements and which in particular is soconstructed that operations of every kind, including those involving theexpenditure of considerable force, can be carried out. Furthermore thenovel appliance satisfies the requirement that when not in use it can becollapsed so as to occupy the smallest possible space so that it can besimply packed, conveyed and stored.

With this object in view the invention resides essentially in anappliance consisting for example of two vertical pillars and a stay,which appliance is mounted on a base and is rigidly secured thereto andwherein the individual dismountable components of the appliance as wellasnthe tools can be accommodated within or pivoted into the base, whichis constituted as an ordinary closed box with a plank or the likeclosing its base and 527,817, and in Germany Aprl'll, 1930.

a cover, preferably in the form of a lid, covering its upper surface.

Further features of the invention are set out below in the detaileddescription with reference to the drawing.

The technical advance afforded by the invention resides in that theweight of the operator utilizing the appliance counteracts the forceswhich arise and in that the appliance is in itself rigid so that it isnot necessary to provide any additional loading or anchoring to -theground or to take any other precautions for ensuring stability. Inparticularthe appliance makes it possible to carry out heavy operationssuch as bending of wires and sheets or hammering operations.

A. further important advantage resides in that in the collapsedcondition, the appliance has the form of a completely closed cabinet orbox. Thus the appliance occupies only a very small space and can betransported without special packing or the like and can be stored in aconvenient manner in occupied rooms or workshops or stacked on lorriesand the like. In consequence of the construction according to thepresentinvention the appliance can be utilized in an extremely large number ofways and in consequence of its large base may, for example, also be usedin rooms where it is necessary to avoid damaging the floor.

One embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in theaccompanying drawing 1n which:

Fig. l shows an elevational view of the appliance erected ready for use,the. walls of the base frame being shown in section.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the appliance in the collapsed state.

Fig. 3 shows a view of the upper portion of the appliance as seen fromthe front.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the upper portion of the appliance with thetools in different disposition.

The appliance consists of a metal frame l in the form of a closedfigure, for example a rectangle. A longitudinal rib l extends throughthe interior of the frame l. The base of the frame is closed by a woodenplank 2 or the like. The upper surface ofthe frame t pillars S rigidcarries a covering 3, 4 the plate 3 consisting two flaps or lids hingedto the frame 1 by means of hinges rlfhe plate l is also divided but thetwo flaps 4; are secured to the frame by means of devices G in su 1imanner as to be readily detachable so that the two flaps el can beentirely removed from the frame.

The cross section of the walls of the base frame 1 is also ofsubstantially rectangular Drofile, provided however with an upwardly anddownwardl7 directed rib or flange. The essential purpose of these ribsis to constitute an et ge protection for the base covering 2 and thecovering plates 3 and Ll. Moreover the ribs facilitate the securing ofth hinges 5.

A. framework is disposed above the base frame 1. rl`his frameworkconsists essentially of two pillars 3 which are mounted on the baseframe 1 and are reinforced by transverse struts 9, together with struts12. The lower transverse strut 9 is adjacent the base of the pillars 3and is provided with a headed screw 9 by means of which the pillars 8are secured to the rib 1. rlhe pillars 8 are preferably disposedlaterally on the frame 1 or on the rib 1 to such an extent that the twocovers 3 or a can be sw downwardly into position to serve as a pedestalor platform for the operator. he upper tr isverse strut is provid-edwith a bearing 10 to accommodate the transverse member 11. rl`hetransverse member 11 unites the two struts 12 holding the two withrespect to the base. The struts 12 are y ivotally mounted on the frame 1by means "-'iivot pins 13. Adjacent the pins 13 the two struts 12 areconnected by a transverse strut 1li. In the collapsed condi* tion(Fig. 1) the transverse strut 14 engages in a recess 15 in thelongitudinal r'b 1" whereas the transverse member 11 is accommodated ina corresponding` recess 16 in the longitudinal rib 1.

The upper ends of the pillars 8 as well as e lateral ends of thetransverse member 17 ie slotted and constructed in known manner sclamping sleeves so that they can accommoi.ate and be used for securingthe mostdiverse tools. The construction of the upper ends of the tubescla ping leeves makes it possible to chage the tools rapidly andconveniently. Furthermore the devices can readily be pivoted in theirmountings and brought into the most .f'aried positions.

ln F1o. 1 a vise 18 is mounted on the left l.` whereas the cover 4 iscarried on t right hand pillar to constitute table.

i ig. 3 shows the appliance in use as a lathe. case a bar 22 is insertedin the trans verse member 11. By means of a pedestal bearing 21 a motor19 is carried on the bar 22. By means of two shaped members 23 a tailstock 20 is secured on the opposite end of the transverse member 11. Inthe illustration the coliunn 8 carries a table formed by a cover plateal but a tool slide can be provided in place of the table.

ln the arrangement according to Fig. Ll the bar 22 is inserted in one ofthe pillars 8. By means of the bracket 21 a motor 19 is mounted on thebar 22 in such manner that its shaft is vertical so that in this way theappliance can be utilized as a vertical boring machine.

Between the two pillars 8 is disposed a winch gearing 24, 25, 26 whichmay be construeted in the customary manner. Mounted on the shaft 26 is agear wheel engaging in a rack 25. Outside the housing for the rack isprovided the usual ratchet wheel and pawl. The shaft 2G terminates in arectangular head on which can be mounted an operating handle foroperating the winch mechanism. rllhe handle may also be used foroperating all devices which require such a drive. For eX- ample cutterscan be associated with the rack so that by means of the recesses 27, 28the device can be used at the same time as a shearing appliance forwires, sheet met-al or profiled iron bars. In a similar manner thedevice can also be used for driving press, a shaft straightening device,an embossing device and the like.

In conjunction with a dynamometer the winch device may be constructed ina simple manner to actuate the appliance for test'ng materials. alsshown for example in Fig. such an arrangement may comprise a plat 29disposed at the lower end of the raclY 2 Between this plate and abuttress 29 is inserted a bar 30 which is to be tested for resistance topressure. For tension tests the rack is provided on the lower side witha hook 31 the article being tested for tensile strength being secured tothe hook 31 and to a corresponding hook 31 disposed on the lowertransverse strut 9.

If necessary the device comprising the pillars 8 and the winch gear 24,25, 26 may be separated from the frame of the appliance and usedindependently for load raising purk poses, for example for liftinglorries and the like.

The appliance, when collapsed, is accommodated in the interior of theframe 1 as aro also the individual tools 13. i9, 20 together with theauxiliary appliances 22, 23 etc. so that in the collapsed state theappliance is in the form of a completely closed fiat cabinet or boXwhich can be held closed by means of bolts 32 or similar devices. Inorder to damp the noises occurringduring operation sound dampers areprovided at appropriate points.

I claim 1. A portable work bench comprising a smooth sided and shallowbon-like base member to be placed on a horizontal surface; and aplurality of pillars and struts adapted i In to be secured to the basemember when in use brace means and any desired equipment can to form thework bench and which are colbe completely enclosed in their collapsedand lapsible so that the pillars and struts may be dlsassembledcondition.

placed in the base member when the bench is In testimony whereof I havealiixed my siglrnocled down for transport or when not in nature.

use and said base member acting as a platform for an operator of theworl; bench.

2. A portable work bench comprising a smooth sided and shallow box-likebase to be placed on a horizontal surface, a pair of pillars, means forsecuring said pillars to the base so as to stand upright thereon, and amember having one of its ends pivoted to the base near one end thereofand adapted to have its other end secured to the said pillars to bracethem securely, said member being oldable about its pivot into theinterior of the base when not in use as a brace, and tools supported inoperative position upon said pillars, and said base member acting as aplatform for an operator of the worlr bench.

3. A portable work bench comprising a collapsible frame Jfor supportingbench equipment, means for bracing the frame in its erected position, abase element on which said frame and brace are mounted and into whichthey are adapted to be lowered when the trame is collapsed, and a bottomand a top cover 'for the base element forming in conjunction therewith asmooth-sided shallow box completely enclosing the brace means and theframe in its collapsed condition.

el. A: portable work bench comprising a collapsible frame for supportingbench equipment, means for bracing the frame in its erected position, abase element on which said traine and brace are mounted and into whichthey are adapted to be lowered when the frame is collapsed, and a bottomand a top cover for the base element forming in conjunction therewith asmooth-sided shallow box completely enclosing the brace means and theframe in its collapsed condition, the frame in its erected positionbeing so located on the base element that the latter constitutes aplatform on which a bench operator may stand while manipulating theequipment.

5. A portable work bench comprising a shallow rectangular base framehaving side walls and a central rib, a collapsible frame for supportingbench equipment, means for securing said frame to the central rib of thebase frame, means hinged to said base frame near an end thereof forbracing the equipment supporting frame when it is erected, said bracemeans and equipment frame being capable or" being lowered into the baseframe, a bottom for the base frame, and a top cover for the base framecapable of forming a platform for an operator working at the erectedbench, said base frame with its bot-- tom and top cover forming ashallowsmoothsided box into which the equipment frame,

GERHARD WOLFRAM.

